The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) intends to publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) by July 1, 2011 for “Health Care Delivery System” (HSDS) demonstration projects to be launched pending federal approval in 2012. In 2010, the Legislature mandated the Minnesota DHS to develop and implement demonstration projects to test alternative and innovative healthcare delivery systems including Accountable Care Organizations.
The state agency will seek proposals from providers for the demonstration projects to improve care and to lower costs for the state’s publicly funded healthcare programs which include Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.
The primary goal for the demonstration is to not only encourage providers to innovate to deliver higher-value care, also to support robust primary care, and improve care coordination via healthcare at home or equivalent efforts. The demonstration will also test payment models to increase provider accountability, implement projects in different parts of the state, allow both larger and smaller provider groups to participate, and create alignment with similar initiatives across payers.
In April 2011, a Request for Information was issued to solicit comments from interested stakeholders on the subject of the demonstration. These comments are now being used to identify areas of concern and to form the details needed to initiate the demonstration projects.
For more information, go to www.dhs.state.mn.us/provider/HCDeliveryDemo or email Ross Owen at ross.owen@state.mn.us or call (651) 431-4228.
